Manchester United forward Anthony Martial joined Romelu Lukaku in articulating what lessons he has learned from interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Who better to teach young scorers about improving technique and further realizing their scoring potential than a man who was known as “the baby faced assassin” during his playing days?
Solsjkaer featured 366 times for United, scoring 126 goals during what was a historically successful period for the club; an era that included the 1998-99 continental treble. Upon retiring, Solskjaer the “super sub” held both United and Premier League records for goals scored off the bench. Since his taking over the club, United have won all six league fixtures they have played in .
In addition to substance, the style has improved immensely as well. In an interview with Norwegian network TV2, Martial articulated the positive influence that Solskjaer has had on him:
“It is great for me to work with a manager who was attacking even when he was playing, just like me. He comes with good advice, especially suggestions for positioning in front of goal and the actual finishing. There he helped me a lot.”
“The best advice I have received from him until now is that I have to play to my strengths. Don’t put pressure on myself. He says I have to express myself on the pitch. It is very nice to be able to get such advice from Solskjaer.”
Martial struggled to find his form under previous manager Jose Mourinho, with whom he had a well documented row during the summer preseason trip to the United States. However, the Frenchman has a goal and an assist thus far during the short tenure of Solskjaer, and his continued production on the left flank is critical.
There are some pundits, observers and supporters who believe that the best option for Manchester United in attack right now is the trio of Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard. Or at least that this selection triad is the option that has worked the best under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thus far.
We’re in that camp; firmly.
Solskjaer also believes that he can get Alexis Sanchez back on track and that Rashford can someday reach Harry Kane levels of excellence.
Elsewhere in the interview, Martial articulated the message that Solskjaer gave to United players during last week’s training trip to Dubai: “He told us about the tricks he picked up as a player and how lucky we are to be part of Manchester United. We all know that he was great when he was a player. So we listen when he tells us something.”
Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion FYIs
Kickoff: Saturday, January 19, 3:00 PM local, Old Trafford
Google Result Probability: Manchester United win 72%, Draw 19% Tottenham win 47%
Injury Report for both teams: go to this link
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Press Conference Video and Quotes: coming Friday
United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Odds via Bet Fair: Manchester United win 3/10, Draw 9/2, Brighton win 11/1
Prediction: United 3, Brighton 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.